Quick test: Name three political speeches you remember word for word.
Struggling? Most people are.
But almost everybody remembers “tear down this wall.” Reagan said that one line in Berlin and it’s still famous decades later.
Why? Because it was bold. It was clear. It said exactly what he believed, no hedging, no mush.
Most candidates do the opposite. They water everything down. They try to say something for everybody. And they end up saying nothing anybody remembers.
Here’s how you fix that.
Fundraising: Donors don’t open their wallets for wishy-washy. They give to candidates who stand for something specific. Say the bold thing in your “ask” letter. Not the safe thing.
Votes: Voters forget policy positions. They remember a line. Give them one sentence that sums up exactly what you believe and say it the same way every single time.
Volunteers: People don’t knock doors for “balanced perspectives.” They knock doors for candidates with guts. Show them you’ve got guts.
Beating your opponent: While he’s giving a safe, forgettable speech full of nothing, you give voters one sharp line that sticks in their head for weeks.
Don’t be afraid of a strong sentence. Don’t round off your edges to make everybody comfortable.
The takeaway: Nobody ever won an election by being forgettable. Say the bold thing. Say it clearly. Say it like you mean it.
Dr. Chuck Muth, PsD
Professor of Psephology*
(homeschooled)
* Psephology (see-follow-gee): The study of campaigns and elections